Plant Inspiration
After one of my recent garden visits I thought I’d share some plant inspiration with you - namely spring flowering shrubs and spring flowering trees.
Every time I go out I note great looking plant varieties, specimens I haven’t used before, as well as combinations I think look wonderful together.
I hope the following provide you with some inspiration for your garden. As these are from Wisley, they mostly prefer neutral to acidic soils, but some do well on all soil types. Always research your plants well and follow the ‘right plant; right place’ principle.
For more of the bigger picture at Wisley, see my previous Blog
Remember, if you need some help with your plant borders, then do get in touch. As well as the full garden design package, I also create planting plans to rejuvenate and restore existing plant borders.
Prunus 'The Bride' AGM. A small garden tree (4m x 4m) with some great autumn colour as well this divine spring blossom. Unusually this doesn’t show the red stamens, but we assume Wisley has the correct label! Most soil types in full sun.
Prunus x yedoensis 'Shidare-Yoshino' is a stunning weeping cherry (5m x 5-10m) with main horizontal branches with smaller branches that droop downwards, almost touching the ground. Most soil types in full sun.
Magnolia 'Lu Shan' is a delightful multi stemmed magnolia (4m x 4m) with the purest of white petals, with flowers that are held upright on their branches. It s vigorous, but not a large specimen. Neutral to slightly acidic soil in sun/part-shade. Keep the roots cool.
Salix hookeriana is an interesting willow, with the female catkins reaching an astonishing 12cm in length. It can be grown as a small tree or a multistep shrub. Suits most soil types (but not dry) in sun. Is happy on poorly drained soils.
Edgeworthia chrysantha 'Grandiflora' is a rather unusual plant. Highly scented flowers appear before the leaves on the terminals of the twigs. It is slow growing (1.5m x 1.5m). Prefers a good loamy soil in dappled shade.
Stachyurus praecox var. leucotrichus is a large shrub (3m x 3M) that originates from Japan, and takes a while to establish and flower, but when it does, it is a joy for the spring garden. Good nectar plant. Best in dappled shade on neutral to acid soil.
Rhododendron 'Rothenburg' is a gorgeous pale yellow and I have found it difficult to find a source for this. Rhododendron ‘Jeanne Church’ is similar in colour and available from Millais. Jeanne Church grows to around 1.5m and prefers acid soil and dappled shade.
Prunus incisa 'Kojo No Mai' is a small shrub (2.5m x 2.5m) formed of a mass of wiry twigs, festooned with blossom in spring. Leaves go a gorgeous orange and red in autumn before falling. Any soil (not wet) in full sun.
Magnolia 'Milky Way' is a delightful magnolia with white cup like flowers with a pink flush at the base. It grows to a fair size (10m x 8m) so isn’t one for the small garden. Neutral to acid soils in sun/part-shade. Shelter from winds.
Rhododendron pachysanthum reminds me of a crisp raspberry ripple ice cream! A smallish shrub (1m x 1m) it is glorious when in flower and has very distinctive brown suede like under leaves. Moist but well drained acidic soils in partial shade.
Magnolia 'Serene' is a medium sized magnolia (6m x 6m) and is a stunning purplish/pink in flower. The shrub is upright with a spreading canopy. As with all magnolias shelter from strong winds. Sun/Partial-shade. Neutral to acidic soils.
Rhododendron pubescens is a small flowered small shrub (0.5m x 0.5m) with a delicate display in spring. The leaves are also tiny and the plant will ‘disappear’ into the green for the rest of the year, but what a joy for the small garden. Well drained acidic soil in dappled shade.